Ugandan authorities arrest three Kenyan fishermen arrested in Lake Victoria

Ugandan authorities have arrested three Kenyan fishermen in Lake Victoria.

The fishermen from Nyandiwa Beach in Suba South Sub County were arrested on Sunday over alleged trespass of fishing boundaries.

Their efforts to plead with the officials for leniency proved futile.  They were taken to Hama Island in Uganda where they were detained.

According to Suba South Sub-county Beach Management Unit Chairman William Onditi, the Ugandan security personnel also confiscated two boat engines and fishing gears of unknown value.

Onditi said the officers extended the seizure to other fishermen from Sare Beach where they confiscated two boat engines worth more than Sh400,000. One engine was later spotted in Lolwe Island in Uganda while the other one had not been located.

He called on the State to intervene in ensuring the release of the three fishermen.

Onditi decried frequent harassment of Kenyan fishermen in Lake Victoria by Ugandan and Tanzanian authorities.

“Harassment of Kenyan fishermen has become rampant in Lake Victoria. We appeal for urgent intervention by the Government for a long term solution into this problem,” said Onditi.

Suba South Sub County Police commander Richard Cheruiyot said he was making efforts to get details of the fishermen who were arrested.

“The person who notified us about the incident did not give enough details. I am going to Nyandiwa to seek more information about the occurrence,” said Cheruiyot.